Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rodneyc863]

Well not really too weird. Now I was just wondering for any others that have worked at a english summer/winter camp that was at a university with accomadations provided, what were the accomadations like?

I understand its usually two to a room, just wondering was it a bunk bed?

And most importantly to me, I was wondering in regards to where we shower and stuff, Im not sure if i misunderstood my rep or whatever but i was curious are university shower areas "open"? Or are they stalled up? Shower curtains? Or does each dorm room have its own shower place?

Any info would be immensely appreciated!

[OiGirl]

Summer camp accommodations I have experience with were dorm suites with three rooms, one bunk bed to a room, bathroom with private shower.

Your experience may vary,

[rodneyc863]

OiGirl would you say thats the norm?

I was asking some questions with my point of contact in regards to the facilities such as internet and all that. Then i just got an email back saying that teachers will shower in a "large room"

That makes me wonder, is it one large room like where we can see each other? Or does that mean its a large private room to shower in.

[Ya-ta Boy]

I've seen plenty of uni-sex bathrooms here, but so far, I haven't come across any uni-sex shower rooms.

[rodneyc863]

Ya-Ta Boy, do you mean that for example all the dudes or all the girls would be able to shower in one room together and be able to see each other?

I just want to know if I can see anyone and vice versa at all. Im not comfratable showering around anyone where i can see or they see me and that really bugs me

[crimsonlily]

I had the same concern! At the EPIK orientation, as many people may know, there were group showers. Not something a lady is used to back in North America! However, us women all pretty much respected each others privacy and would wait and have quick showers. But then towards the end if someone did come into the shower... well, it's not as if anyone would shoo them away!

Wow, what an experience!

Anyway, I asked some veteran EPIKs and they also said that there's a private bathroom attached to the dorm rooms at our particular summer camp. Thank goodness!

[Ya-ta Boy]

I have NOT seen uni-sex showers, but I have seen shower rooms where a lot of people of one gender shower together. I don't know the conditions of dorms.

[schwa]

Communal showering, segregated by sex, is quite common in Korean culture. There are public baths & saunas all over where people just go about their business with a refreshing matter-of-factness.

I learned from Koreans to be comfortable exposing my body, imperfect as it is, among strangers, & I found it quite liberating.

Having known western inhibitions, I understand the embarrassment & indignation a bunch of westerners might feel at being expected to shower together. But why is it we're conditioned to figure its such a big deal?

Admittedly, some Koreans are uncomfortable about communal bathing too, but most are not. A camp host might not have even considered that it might pose a problem.

Sometimes its useful to challenge our comfort zones.

[ScottyG]

The camp I worked at said in the contract that rooms would be shared two to a room, but as it turned out each teacher had their own room. Very small basic room with a bathroom. I was happy with it, but had there been two to a room it would have sucked. I have been looking for camps again and just secured one with a single room in shared condo. Sounds good to me and was one of the main reasons I took the position. Working a camp is exhausting enough without having to sleep uncomfortably with just anyone. I would be more comfortable in a large dorm with several people than just one person in a stuffy room. You would think camps would want to make sure teachers were well rested.
As for showers, they would be private booths for the most part. But Koreans, who are used to going to saunas, don't care so much about modesty in these situations. Oddly enough when I've been to saunas and am the only white dude within miles, I don't feel that I am paid any extra attention or that I'm being "sized up."

[OiGirl]

I dont know what other camps are like, but I described the one I was living at last year. As others said, communal bathing is common in Korea.

[thursdays child]

I'm a camp queen - about 7 all up (I think). Most were two to a room - one to a room if you were lucky (because of an odd number of people).

Bathrooms - university bathrooms so - communual. You'll find no-one gives a shit. Especially if you're working with other foreigners - you'll find you work out a rosta so you get your own privacy.

I used to feel SOOO uncomfortable and panicked about communual bathrooms - now years down the track - it has become a real non-issue - most Koreans will only notice you if you are trying to cover up!

Oh and you will NEVER share a bedroom or bathroom with the oppiste sex.